Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has strongly criticised protesters in New York following an alleged incident involving the Indian national flag during a demonstration outside Madison Square Garden.
The protest took place in connection with an event attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who addressed members of the Indian-American community and interfaith leaders at the iconic New York venue. According to reports, Rijiju shared a video on social media that allegedly showed a protester disrespecting the Indian national flag during the demonstration. The minister condemned the alleged act and issued a strong warning against insulting India or its national symbols.
Rijiju said that people have the right to criticise political organisations, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the government. However, he drew a distinction between political criticism and what he described as an insult to the nation and the national flag.
The Union minister said that criticism is part of democratic discourse, but warned protesters not to disrespect India or its national symbols. His comments came after footage from the New York demonstration circulated online.
The protest was held outside Madison Square Garden around the time of an event featuring Mohan Bhagwat. The event brought together thousands of members of the Indian-American community as well as interfaith representatives. Reports put the attendance at more than 6,000 people.
Bhagwat used the occasion to speak about diversity, unity and social harmony. In his address, he said that unity in diversity is part of India's identity and emphasised the importance of respecting and accepting diversity.
Several interfaith leaders also participated in the programme and highlighted themes including unity, compassion, kindness and cooperation among communities. The event was presented as an opportunity to discuss shared values and the relationship between Indian heritage and the wider global community.
The programme and Bhagwat's visit had attracted criticism from some groups in New York before the event. The demonstrations reflected the wider debate surrounding the RSS, its ideology and its role in Indian public life. The RSS has defended its activities and described its outreach as an effort to promote dialogue and unity.
The alleged flag incident added another dimension to the controversy. Rijiju's response focused on the importance of respecting India's national flag regardless of political differences. His remarks also highlighted the distinction between expressing disagreement and allegedly disrespecting a national symbol.
The incident has attracted attention in India because the demonstration took place outside a prominent international venue and involved India's national flag. At the same time, the available reports describe the alleged act based on video footage shared by Rijiju, and the circumstances should therefore be treated as an allegation unless independently established by authorities.
The episode comes at a time when political and ideological debates involving the Indian diaspora are receiving increasing attention in the United States. Events involving prominent Indian organisations and leaders can attract both support and opposition from different sections of the community.
Rijiju's warning has added to the public discussion about the limits of political protest and the responsibility to respect national symbols. While political criticism remains an important part of democratic debate, the minister argued that such criticism should not extend to insulting India or its national flag.
The New York event, meanwhile, concluded with discussions centred on unity, diversity, interfaith engagement and social responsibility. The controversy surrounding the protest and the alleged flag incident is expected to remain part of the broader debate surrounding the RSS and its activities among the Indian diaspora in the United States.